142 WASTING FOR RACE RIDING. 



though pleasanter, will not be as effective practice as 

 walking. 



A sweat, like that I have described, will take from 

 4 lbs. to 6 lbs, off an ordinary man, provided that there 

 be little or no wind, which most materially prevents 

 perspiration. When taking a sweat in hot climates, 

 one should avoid the sun as much as possible, for few 

 things tend to make one so nervous, as hard exercise 

 when exposed to its influence. Having one's nerves 

 in good order is of far more consequence, than being 

 able to get the exact weight. This particularly applies 

 to men who ride their own horses, for jockeys have little 

 option in the matter, owners being often foolishly 

 exacting on this point. I am quite certain that, on the 

 flat, a jockey can ride quite five pounds better when he 

 is fit and well, than he can when he is weak from 

 wasting ; while in steeplechasing the difference is one 

 of stones and not of pounds. 



A lamp bath is often taken Instead of a regular sweat, 

 if the man in training be lazy, or not able to walk well. 

 It is arranged thus : a lamp for the purpose, or three or 

 four small saucers full of oil with lighted cotton wicks in 

 them, are placed under a chair on which the man sits. 

 It is well to have the seat of the chair made of wood. 



